Holmes_and_Watson

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Having any kind of centre forward would have improved our squad, as would an all round better goalkeeper. But both would have had to have wanted to be here, which I'm not sure is the case for either of them. Since the tactics would have had them running through treacle anyway, it would be a no.

Agreed. In his early appearances, it was clear he wasn't an out and out defensive midfielder. He could do the basics, but wasn't at the stage of controlling a game. Later, when he appeared, he did fine in a game where he had a bit more space, and tidily passed it about. It was another game with lots of space for him against Charlton, which suits him. As you say, he'll face tougher tests and time will tell.

Battlefield

Autos 🙂 But really this. And not necessarily that he must win every game. SR recruitment is to blame for a lot of our issues. If Tonda can show he has a plan, that allows the players to create, even in difficult circumstances, that would go a long way.

With Stephens, you have someone who is versatile (if limited). He was picking up space when other CBs moved, such as THB supporting Fellows. In the second half, with the pace dropped, he moved more directly into midfield runs, with Bragg and Jander supporting. He was shouting at least a few times too. You can see him trying to do lots of good things, although the execution is a bit uncertain at times. We passed through Charlton's press right from the start. By the time the goals went in, they were already unsure of it, and it failed completely. For games like that Baz is excellent, and has been key. Range of passing out from the back? Good distribution? Unflappable? All ticks to his game. Sadly, it's the other games, with different skills needed that's the problem. Tonda set us up really well to give AA a lot of freedom, giving the others the responsibility to support or feed off him. Like you say, he gave the players the responsibility to show their sense. He's also aware that Leicester are going to offer different challenges. As others have pointed out, we still have the same weaknesses. Tonda just has to keep working at minimising those, and develop winning ways despite them. And against different set ups. Not the easiest of tasks.

I am not a lower order M'lord! Oh darn again... 🙂

"Not getting enough shite for lunch? Try our "Pile 'O Shite Bites! All the additives you crave, but more! Pile O' Shite Bites. Every little helps (our pharma partners)"

Well, I just tried all that, and I can tell you exactly what life threw up. 🙂 Not that I'm exactly living a healthy diet, but completely agree with the points. My folks didn't like the idea of fast food. I credit my childhood diet for setting me up to be healthier (touch wooden head) now. I've even switched breads for those that fall as far away from UPF as possible. That's made a nice difference.

Not much to add from the first half, so just copied that below. 🙂 As the excellent Charlton co-tator said, one side didn't want to concede even more and the other were happy with the day's work. Charlton's subs were ahead of Tuesday, and ours were sensible like for like changes, probably with the same in mind. In summary, Nathan's front footed, aggressiveness was his undoing. We easily played around their press. The work and intelligence of AA and creativity of Scienza gave us lots of space and dismantled them. It would have been nice to see more intensity to see more from the subs. But,mas a team, there wasn't much need. Before the pace dropped, we got to see more of attacking Fellows, who had a good game. Stephens was also moving into midfield, to give some direction at times. That was along with Jander and Bragg having dropped back as the tempo waned. Downes did fine when he came on, mopping up any problems. Downs continued to not be a target man. He might do better with balls into plenty of space over the top. But he still struggles physically with defenders. Robinson had a few solo runs. Some against ex-Saint Ramsey, fresh from a torrid half up against AA. Cracking result. But to temper that just a little, Charlton played right into our tactics. Tonda's 100% record remains.

Shout out to the ex-Charlton player on co-tator duty. Good tactical insights from kick off, followed by perspective and analysis as it went on.

Wow! We just blew them away in the first 25 minutes. The team worked hard for each other, in a system that made use of a lot of their individual strengths. AA put an early header over the bar, from a good position. But that was not the way the rest of our attacks came. AA wasn't pinned looking for scraps. He was using his usual work rate to move into spaces, supporting and disrupting. Others were asked to match that, by using all that space and move between the Charlton defence. Right from the first few minutes our passing ( little nod to RussBall) was pulling Charlton apart. Apart from that AA header, we had this week's Golden Miss going to Azaz, and Manning hitting the side netting. The goals were a just reward for the work. But it's the work, support and anticipation that shone. Credit to Eckhart. AA isn't a target man. So he's given runners to help. Fellows isn't a wing back. Watch how THB supports him a Ross the pitch. Bragg isn't a midfield destroyer. But AA and Jander allow him to have passing options. Bragg took up a number of good spaces (little nod to Smallbone) to connect up the play. After the fourth, it was a different tempo. So we got to see our defence in action. Not surprisingly, we're weaker there with Fellows and Manning. But solid enough in the centre. Only that free header at the end to look at. Even when their forwards pressed Baz, there wasn't any worry. Baz is among the best for that sort of thing. Lovely to enjoy the players rewarded for their effort.

Abbey

Where?!, where?!, where?!....ah heck...darn Emperor caught me out again...🙂

Given that SR are going to insist on 3 at the back, I think we've just found our new manager. DoesxChat GPT have it's coaching badges, or will Tonda just be given the instructions? 🙂

Some thoughts.... I'll not have been the only one saying VA are exactly where they deserve to be in the table. The problems have been there since very early on. It's very late for someone within the club to be saying the same. I can only hope that whatever Moulin says to the press is not the attitude shown on the training ground. That reads like a coach who sees that all the other teams have things he doesn't, and doesn't know how to fix it. Fleury, like quite a few others, were indeed the better team. They key word is team. Having overhauled a squad, failed, then overhauled again under SR, VA don't play as a team. They play as a disjointed collective, lacking in all of the well-drilled exercises a group familiar with each other have. You can see some of the things VA work on. It then combines with an absence of players for key roles, Moulin not trusting those he might have, and players losing morale or over compensating throughout games. It was never a case of bringing in players who were or weren't familiar with the French leagues. A club of VA's resources should know to have key tactical systems in place , and fill a team with the right personalities and strengths to execute it. Building a core squad is beyond SR. Watching Courtet trying to pitch in everywhere is painful. As is watching players uncertain of how to attack, or having no outlets, allowing teams to reset. Fleury are not a defensive powerhouse or a well oiled machine, as the article states. They were a team who can defend, and who can execute attacks. The very basics for a team hoping to progress through the leagues. Credit to them, and beyond what VA can muster. Moulin's wrong about the second goal. It was a move worked on by a team trained on attacks in such situations, and given the space to do so. The second VA player running in to cover at the corner, forced their player's hand. He eased past both VA players, to pick out just the area you'd expect an attacking midfielder to be. VA failed to anticipate it, or close it down. Excellent shot, but VA allowed it. It wasn't risk taking, or determination. Just players who were where they should have been. Even when there are players around VA don't anticipate danger. All the movement for the first came from Fleury players, keen to get on the end of the delivery. VA's defence were like statues. They were close enough together that it wasn't a failing in zonal marking. They were just filling the space, rather than doing anything in it. Something you see quite a bit of in VA teams.

All self important, self indulgent sports articles start like that. You'll thank me when the prizes come in. 🙂

Here you go... Intro... Pushing hair gently from her eyes, she looks wistfully beyond the rain and wind. Beyond the Welsh valleys to a life unlived. A settled life, with a man who had given up dreams of football management. But who would cage the dreams of another? She returns inside, knowing that somewhere Nathan has followed another path. A path to redemption and glory. Closing... Nathan's passion has moulded another team spirit that Saints simply could not match. He demands that his players match that dedication. Nathan fights with them. Fresh from 30 minutes of fist pumping up the touchline, while still on his knees, a bloodied Nathan took his chewed fingers to the press to give credit to his team. "I'm not going to say I've proven I'm pound for pound the best. There are other, stronger currencies. And I'm the best there too. Me, me, me, aggressive, me, me, me, front footed, me,me,me, not saying they shouldn't have sacked me but 5-0 tells a story, me, me,me...and God"

I'd go to see Sue Pollard in Mission Improbable.

A game of few chances. But then Fleury had the job done with their second, just after the break. Around 70 mins VA looked to find some attacking pressure. Alette made a double save; Courtet then hit the side netting, and there were a couple of longer range efforts blazed over. Nothing too troubling. For a while Courtet looked to have a little more help. Nothing direct enough, but at least having more numbers up there, with Diamande supporting. It didn't last. Courtet was back to popping up all over the pitch in desperation to get the ball. It's a massive flag. He runs himself into the ground and out of position trying to do the jobs others are supposed to be there to do. The whole thing results in a side that has no definite plans when they get to the final third, and few there to take advantage anyway. They know it too, and there's far too much passing around, allowing opponents to set up and defend. Courtet had all of a single ball in behind the defence. Taking 70 minutes to try and impose on a 2 goal deficit is not something a promotion chasing side does. But it's just what a side where VA deservedly sit in the table do.

The half time team talk worked wonders. Concede a second right after kick off. Good shot, but grim from VA.

I'd be semi-curious, demi committed to seeing how popular it was.

Phil Brown combining halftime team talk, with the fans half time entertainment, as he does it on the pitch.

Let's face it. There's only one winner of the "SaintsWeb FAB Representative" vote.

Jump